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Pope consecrates Vatican City to St. Joseph and St. Michael the Archangel...

...on the occasion of the dedication of a monument to St. Michael, in front of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, following up on a decision that had been taken by his predecessor. Both the Pope and his Emeritus were present. Vatican Radio has a summary: "Following a brief ceremony, Pope Francis addressed those present noting how St. Michael defends the People of God from its enemy par excellence, the devil. He said even if the devil attempts to disfigure the face of the Archangel and thus the face of humanity, St Michael wins, because God acts in him and is stronger."

The whole text of the Holy Father's beautiful short address in Italian is available here.

Thankfully the statue actually "looks" like an angel rather than some modernist abstract garbage.

It does at that. It's a beautiful and edifying statue.

There are moments in this pontificate that many of us...find frustrating. Sometimes, however, there are surprisingly good events, and it's clear that the Rorate bloggers agree. A beautiful, classically styled statue of St. Michael is dedicated by the Pope, personally, with Benedict XVI attending in a place of honor, with a resounding blast at the devil by Pope Francis. There is much to like here. Whatever else is true of Pope Francis, it is clear that, unlike some of his progressive enthusiasts, he really does believe that hell is a real place and the devil is a real and present danger. And he is willing to say, repeatedly, in public.

All of which tells me that our prayers are not in vain, and that the present Holy Father is not beyond their reach.

I like what you said:"There are moments in this pontificate that many of us...find frustrating. Sometimes, however, there are surprisingly good events, and it's clear that the Rorate bloggers agree. A beautiful, classically styled statue of St. Michael is dedicated by the Pope, personally, with Benedict XVI attending in a place of honor, with a resounding blast at the devil by Pope Francis. There is much to like here."